Chapter 25
Is my outfit the reason you’re drooling all over yourself?
Melinda stood at the end of the driveway, her jaw slack and her eyes traveling all over me, leaving a burn in their wake.
I wiped my hands on a rag, watching her with an amused smirk playing on my lips.
The intensity of her stare sent bolts of desire through my being, and I inhaled, doing my best to look unaffected.
“Shepard, is my outfit the reason you’re drooling all over yourself?” I asked, pointing to the stained white T-shirt and old pair of jeans I was wearing.
She forced herself back into the present. “Ha. Ha. Very. Funny.”
“So? Drooling again?” I pointed to the corner of her mouth, and she ran the back of her hand across her lower face.
I pinched my lips together, doing my best to keep my chuckle leashed in.
“Oh, Mase. Stop. I’m not drooling.”
“From where I stand, that’s not what it looks like.” I waggled my eyebrows in a teasing manner.
She poked her tongue out, and I finally let out the laugh I’d been holding in.
She wiped her mouth with a hand again, trying to look subtle but failing. I winked, and she shook her head, grinning. “Anyway, I came over because my dad said you have taken my car hostage.”
I walked out of the garage, not bothering to put on a sweatshirt or a jacket.
When Melinda stood in front of me, looking this hot in a pair of jeans and my hoodie, I couldn’t care less about the November breeze.
“I may have stolen your car earlier, that’s a fact.
But in my defense, I’m changing the brakes.
I noticed they were due last week when you gave me a ride after practice.
I didn’t like the idea of your driving around town with worn brake pads. ”
“You…? Huh… You’re fixing my car?”
I gestured to her vehicle lifted on jacks behind me and shrugged one shoulder. “Yep.”
“I had an appointment for it next Friday after school.”
“The thing is, I had free time today, and you would have missed the game next Friday if you’d gone to the mechanic. Anyway, working on cars is my secret superpower. Don’t tell anyone or my schedule will blow up.”
Since I was fourteen, I had been working at D&D Automobile in town during the summer. There was just something about cars and mechanics in general that fascinated me.
“That’s… Wow, that’s nice of you. And generous. I should buy you a gold-painted wrench, but first, I gotta pay you back. How much do I owe you?”
I grinned big. “Nothing.” I flicked my wrist because it really was no big deal. “I went shopping for parts with your dad because he insisted on paying, and my time is free—for you.”
“You went shopping with my dad?”
“Yeah. We worked together on his car earlier. We fixed his rear wiper while we were at it and installed his winter tires. He helped me with my physics homework during lunch, so we’re even.”
I had gone to the Shepards’ house this morning and asked for Melinda’s keys when I knew she would be gone all day.
Paige had picked her up yesterday, and they had a sleepover at her place.
Melinda was scheduled at work all afternoon, and Craig had told me Paige would give her a ride, so the timing was perfect.
Before me, Melinda blinked a million times. “You went shopping with my dad and he helped you with your schoolwork?”
“Yep. As I said, all good. Your car will be ready tomorrow by the end of the day because I started it just thirty minutes ago, and I wanna do the oil change and replace the filters while I’m at it. And switch your tires for a winter set.”
She stood there with her mouth hanging open.
“Don’t worry, I’ll give you a ride to the meet tomorrow. Just let me know what time we gotta leave and I’ll be there.”
“O-okay.” She blinked again. “You’re coming to the meet?”
“Yeah. I thought you would enjoy more supporters.”
“Thanks?” She shook her head as if she just realized her reply sounded more like a question. “That’s nice of you. To do this for me.” Staring at me, she twisted her hands before her, looking nervous.
“Everything all right?”
“Wanna come over for dinner? Dad said he made too much food tonight. I think it was his way to let me know I could invite you.”
My smile must have reached my ears. “Sure. I’ll shower and change and meet you at your place afterward?”
She nodded, not saying a word. Her eyes sparkled, and I got hypnotized by her beauty.
The time we’d spent together hanging in the air on the Ferris wheel had sealed something in our friendship. I still wasn’t sure what it was exactly, but I could feel how she looked at me differently these days. Something I had a hard time to define with words.
She cast a glance down, and when her eyes met mine again, something had changed in them. A confused expression shadowed her face. This time, it didn’t look like lust, though, but more like she was far from here.
“Mel? You okay?” I stepped in front of her, coiling my hand around her wrist, pulling her closer, and inspecting her features.
She pulled herself back into the moment. “Yes. Sure. Sorry. I was… Lots on my mind.”
I molded my palm to her cheek. She pressed her face into my touch, closing her eyes. “Hey, are you sure you want me to come over for dinner?”
She opened her eyes. “Yes. Please.” She coughed to clear her throat. “Come knocking when you’re ready.” Her eyes lost focus, and she swayed on her feet. I clamped her elbow in case she fainted or something.
“Hey. Are you sure you’re fine?” I tilted her head until I could look at her, and for a fraction of a second, confusion filled her gaze. From up close, she looked a bit pale. Dark circles rimmed her eyes, and her cheeks appeared hollow.
“Huh…yes. A bit dizzy. I had a long day and barely slept last night. Paige and I talked till three in the morning.” She breathed out. “I’m better now.”
“Okay. You would tell me if something was wrong, right?”
“Yes. Don’t worry about me. I’m under a lot of stress, and with the new training, the diet, school, and my work, I’m drained these days. I can’t wait for the winter break.”
We stared at each other for an infinite minute.
“You would tell me if it was something else?”
She nodded, and I let go of her.
“Thanks. For inviting me.”
“Thanks. For fixing my car.”
We exchanged smiles. A brick of the wall I’d erected around my heart a long time ago turned to dust.
Melinda Shepard’s smile was definitely the most beautiful thing ever. It brightened even the grayest of days. Now I had the certainty my heart would never be whole without her holding it.
Later that night, we returned to my place and were in my bedroom, watching a movie, sitting on my bed.
Melinda lay half spread on top of me, my fingers entangled in her hair.
This had to be the most confusing relationship I’d ever had with a girl—and the only real relationship I’d ever had with a girl if I were being honest. We were acting as if we were dating, but there had been no attempt to take things further since we’d had the conversation that night at the fair.
“I should let you go so you can catch a full night’s sleep. You have a meet tomorrow and need the rest. Do you want me to prep you a snack before you leave? You only ate the veggies on your plate at dinner and a small piece of chicken. You must be starving.”
“No. It’s my night-before-meet diet. Lean protein and vegetables. I’ll have a breakfast with carbs in the morning.”
“Mel. I promised myself I wouldn’t say anything, but this seems a bit harsh.
” I lifted myself up on one elbow to look at her.
“I’ve worked with trainers and nutritionists for years, and they’ve never put me on such a restrictive diet.
It’s not like you’re training for the Olympics.
Are you sure you’re in good hands and these people know what they’re doing? ”
“Mase, don’t worry, okay? It’s all under control. It’s only temporary.”
I lowered my hands to her hips. “You look exhausted all the time and those headaches… I’m not trying to piss on your training program here, I’m just…”
Her lips lingered on my jaw in a soft kiss. “Thanks, but I’ll tell you if it’s not the case.” She rested her face in the crook of my neck.
“Even though I believe you should ask them to review your training and diet programs, I’ll mind my own business, but I still think you should be in bed.” I checked the time on my phone. “It’s almost midnight.”
“Mm-hmm, I’m going now.” A yawn passed her lips. “It’s hard because you make such a great pillow.”
“Not sure your dad will invite me over again if you fall asleep here.”
“Probably not.” She sounded like she was already halfway to dreamland. “I’m just so comfy.”
“Come on, Shepard. Even though I wish nothing more than to have you here all night, I’ll walk you out.” I shifted from under her weight and moved to my feet, holding out a hand for her to grab.
She sighed. “Fine.”
Standing up, the full length of her body pressed against mine, and once again, I couldn’t control how it reacted to the contact.
Melinda watched me with wide eyes. “Mase?”
I cleared my throat and shrugged because it was basic biology, and I had no idea how to respond to this.
Flames licked the inside of my body. My cells vibrated. I cupped the back of her head with a hand and leaned in to kiss her cheek. “Let’s get you home.”
We stood on Melinda’s front porch, and I was about to leave when she grasped my hand. “Mase? I feel it too, you know. Just gimme a little more time.”
“No pressure. I’m not going anywhere. Night, Mel.”
“Good night, Mason.”
I watched Melinda as she annihilated Emery Mellencamp, her rival from McKinley High, at the 100m backstroke event the next afternoon. She whipped her goggles off to look at the scoreboard, her victory grin splitting her face in two.
She skimmed the bleachers with a quick look, spotting where her parents and I sat, and I offered her a thumbs-up when our stares collided.
You did it, I mouthed. You beat her ass.
Melinda chuckled behind her closed fist, her eyes illuminating the entire pool area, pride evident on her features.